Do it yourself: Post power outage checks

We've all experienced an inconvenient power outage... sometimes, during the summer heat.

Your first instinct might be to call an electrician, but there are things you can check before you call. And, that will help keep those hard earned dollars in your wallet.

Bill Howe, with Doss Electric, says;"Before calling an electrician you want to check your breakers and see if they're in trip condition.Attempt to reset them if they're cool,If they're warm to the touch you'll have to wait a period of time before they will turn back on, or reset,"

If you find a breaker is tripping more than others Howe suggests... "You need to take some of the devices off of that circuit and place them on other circuits in the home to divide that load up."

That could be as simple as moving an appliance from one outlet to another.

To test and see if your breaker is bad, Howe says you need to put it in the "off" position.

Around 6 p.m. tonight it was confirmed by one of the Helena City Commissioners that the fountain in Helena will be removed. There is no word on when it will be moved, what will replace it, or if it will be moved to a museum. The American Indian caucus asked the Helena City Commissioner to remove the fountain, which was given to the city back in the early 1900's.

Around 6 p.m. tonight it was confirmed by one of the Helena City Commissioners that the fountain in Helena will be removed. There is no word on when it will be moved, what will replace it, or if it will be moved to a museum. The American Indian caucus asked the Helena City Commissioner to remove the fountain, which was given to the city back in the early 1900's.

As many as 300 to 400 residents in Lolo were told to leave their homes immediately on Wednesday night due to increased fire activity on the Lolo Peak fire. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for people and homes from mile marker 31.5 to 29.5 on both sides of Hwy 12. This includes Fort Fizzle to Balsam Root Road on both sides of Hwy 12, as well as portions of Mormon Creek Road past and including Vann Drive. Residents must check in at t...

As many as 300 to 400 residents in Lolo were told to leave their homes immediately on Wednesday night due to increased fire activity on the Lolo Peak fire. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for people and homes from mile marker 31.5 to 29.5 on both sides of Hwy 12. This includes Fort Fizzle to Balsam Root Road on both sides of Hwy 12, as well as portions of Mormon Creek Road past and including Vann Drive. Residents must check in at t...